OpenAI CEO Criticizes Current Devices, Teases AI-First Hardware with Jony Ive
Sam Altman argues current devices are “binary” and unsuited for AI companions, as OpenAI explores wearables, glasses, and more.
Sam Altman Hints at Wearables, Glasses as Next Wave of AI Devices
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says smartphones and computers, in their current form, are “not quite right” to unlock the true potential of artificial intelligence — and hinted that his company is working on hardware to change that.
In a recent podcast with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Altman argued that today’s devices are binary — either on or off — and fail to provide continuous, context-aware assistance. “You really want AI to have as much context as possible, do stuff for you, and be proactive,” he said.
AI Companions Need Always-On Devices
Altman described his vision of an AI companion that delivers intelligent alerts, proactive support, and timely reminders — functions poorly suited to pocketable phones or laptops. “The current form factors of computers are… not quite what we want for the sci-fi dream of the AI companion,” he noted.
Rather than devices that wake only when tapped or unlocked, Altman suggested hardware that is ambiently aware, always ready to help without requiring constant input.
OpenAI–Jony Ive Collaboration Fuels Speculation
Altman’s comments come amid reports that OpenAI is developing an AI-first hardware product with legendary ex-Apple designer Jony Ive. While he avoided specifics, Altman confirmed that the goal is to build “physical hardware that keeps AI omnipresent.”
He pointed to potential form factors like glasses, wearables, or compact desktop devices — tools that could seamlessly host AI assistants throughout daily life. “The world will experiment with a lot of those new form factors,” he said.
The Bigger Picture
The push for hardware reflects a broader race to integrate AI directly into devices rather than relying solely on cloud-based models accessed through traditional PCs or smartphones. By combining advanced AI models like ChatGPT with dedicated, context-rich hardware, OpenAI hopes to create a truly proactive digital companion — more science fiction than smartphone.
